The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

February 2006

Select Another Month

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

American Axle & Manufacturing Declares First Quarter 2006 Dividend

American Axle & Manufacturing Declares First Quarter 2006 Dividend

DETROIT, Feb. 21 -- American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM), which is traded as AXL on the NYSE, today announced a cash dividend of $0.15 per share payable on March 28, 2006 to stockholders of record on all of the Company's issued and outstanding common stock as of March 7, 2006. AAM is a world leader in the ... Continue reading

America's Car-Mart, Inc. Schedules Release of Third Quarter Results and Conference Call

America's Car-Mart, Inc. Schedules Release of Third Quarter Results and Conference Call

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Feb. 21 -- America's Car-Mart, Inc. today announced that the Company will release financial results for its Fiscal 2006 Third Quarter, ended January 31, 2006, on Thursday, March 2, 2006 at 7:30 a.m. (Eastern time). Senior management will hold a conference call on March 2, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern ... Continue reading

Compete, Inc. Revs Up Automotive Practice with New Director and Hub in Detroit; Company's Consumer Behavior Insights Steer Market Performance for Global Automotive Brands

Compete, Inc. Revs Up Automotive Practice with New Director and Hub in Detroit; Company's Consumer Behavior Insights Steer Market Performance for Global Automotive Brands

BOSTON--Feb. 21, 2006--Compete, Inc. today announced the addition of Dennis Bulgarelli to its automotive practice and the company's expansion in Detroit. As Director, Dennis will leverage his 25 years of automotive research and strategic planning experience to help automotive manufacturers quantify in-market vehicle de ... Continue reading

Compli Chairman and CEO Ken Thrasher and Wife Marta Thrasher to Be Honored with Simon Benson Award at Gala Featuring Her Majesty, Queen Noor of Jordan

Compli Chairman and CEO Ken Thrasher and Wife Marta Thrasher to Be Honored with Simon Benson Award at Gala Featuring Her Majesty, Queen Noor of Jordan

PORTLAND, Ore.--Feb. 21, 2006-- Portland State University Award Honors 'Oregon's Pioneers of Philanthropy' Compli(R) chairman and CEO, Ken Thrasher and his wife, Marta Thrasher, will receive the prestigious Simon Benson Award from Portland State University (PSU) at a gala on March 1, 2006. The event will feature Her Ma ... Continue reading

comScore Reports 24 Percent Growth in Auto Insurance Quotes and 29 Percent Growth in Policies Purchased Online in 2005

comScore Reports 24 Percent Growth in Auto Insurance Quotes and 29 Percent Growth in Policies Purchased Online in 2005

Online Auto Insurance Industry Comes of Age With 2005 Growth Spurt RESTON, Va., Feb. 21 -- Consumers flocked online to research and purchase auto insurance in 2005 according to an analysis released today by comScore Networks, the leader in the use of the Internet to measure and understand consumer behavior and attitude ... Continue reading

Dana Corporation's Board of Directors Postpones Dividend Action

Dana Corporation's Board of Directors Postpones Dividend Action

TOLEDO, Ohio, Feb. 21 -- Dana Corporation today announced that its Board of Directors has postponed action regarding a cash dividend on Dana's common stock for the first quarter of 2006 pending completion of the company's fourth-quarter and full-year 2005 financial results. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19 ... Continue reading

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Elects Richard W. Neu to Board of Directors

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Elects Richard W. Neu to Board of Directors

TULSA, Okla., Feb. 21 -- Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. today announced that Richard W. Neu was elected to the Company's Board of Directors, effective today. Mr. Neu will join the Board's Audit Committee. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020412/DTGLOGO ) "We are delighted to add Richard to our Board ... Continue reading

DURA Automotive Names Timothy Stephens as President of Atwood Mobile Products Division

DURA Automotive Names Timothy Stephens as President of Atwood Mobile Products Division

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich.--Feb. 21, 2006--DURA Automotive Systems, Inc. , today announced the promotion of Timothy C. Stephens, 45, to president of the company's Atwood Mobile Products division, effective March 6, 2006. Stephens will succeed Al Liddell, who is leaving Atwood to pursue other opportunities. The Atwood divis ... Continue reading

Featherlite Reports Earnings of $4.5 Million in 2005; Annual Net Sales Increase 4% to over $225 Million

Featherlite Reports Earnings of $4.5 Million in 2005; Annual Net Sales Increase 4% to over $225 Million

CRESCO, Iowa--Feb. 21, 2006--Featherlite, Inc. , a leading manufacturer and marketer of specialty aluminum trailers, transporters and luxury motorcoaches, today reported results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. For fiscal 2005, the Company posted net income of $4.5 million, or 38 cents pe ... Continue reading

Hansen(R) Partners with Leading Private Equity Firm, Golden Gate Capital, for Future Expansion; Opportunity to Lead Government IT Market Consolidation Expected to Benefit Global Public Sector Customers

Hansen(R) Partners with Leading Private Equity Firm, Golden Gate Capital, for Future Expansion; Opportunity to Lead Government IT Market Consolidation Expected to Benefit Global Public Sector Customers

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.--Feb. 21, 2006--Hansen Information Technologies ("Hansen(R)"), the leading provider of software solutions to state and local governments, today announced a strategic investment by San Francisco-based Golden Gate Capital, a $2.6 billion private equity fund. The investment by Golden Gate Capital wi ... Continue reading

IDM Launches Start Fresh for Automotive Sub Prime Lending

IDM Launches Start Fresh for Automotive Sub Prime Lending

ROCKLIN, Calif.--Feb. 21, 2006--Intelligent Direct Marketing, Inc.(TM) (IDM) the leader in direct mail for the automotive industry, revealed today the new name of its sub prime division -- Start Fresh(TM). Start Fresh is devoted exclusively to serving the needs of auto dealers looking to gain sub prime lending business ... Continue reading

Innovex Announces Board of Directors Changes; Names Kenneth J. Roering to Board, Townsend H. Porter Resigns

Innovex Announces Board of Directors Changes; Names Kenneth J. Roering to Board, Townsend H. Porter Resigns

MAPLE PLAIN, Minn.--Feb. 21, 2006--Innovex today announced the addition of Kenneth J. Roering, 62, to the company's Board of Directors. Dr. Roering is currently Professor of Marketing in the Carlson School of Management of the University of Minnesota and Executive Vice President, Strategic Management, Marshall BankFirs ... Continue reading

Invisa, Inc. Reports Year End 2005 Information Sales and Units Sold for the Year 2005 Increased by 21% and 34%, Respectively, Over 2004

Invisa, Inc. Reports Year End 2005 Information Sales and Units Sold for the Year 2005 Increased by 21% and 34%, Respectively, Over 2004

SARASOTA, Fla.--Feb. 21, 2006--Invisa, Inc. (OTCBB:INSA) today announced that 2005 was our largest unit sales year to date. Sales and units sold for the year 2005 increased by 21% and 34%, respectively, over 2004. Our sales from units for the year 2005 totaled $239,285 on 754 units. For the year 2004, such sales totale ... Continue reading

Ituran Location and Control Ltd. Presents Record Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2005

Ituran Location and Control Ltd. Presents Record Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2005

Year Over Year, Pro-Forma Revenue Growth of 25.6% and Pro-Forma Net Profit Growth of 43% AZOUR, Israel, February 21 -- Ituran Location and Control Ltd. , today announced its consolidated financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2005. Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2005 reached US$23.5 million. ... Continue reading

Join Mayor Alan Cutcher for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at McMorran Place to Open the 21st Annual Port Huron Camper & RV Show

Join Mayor Alan Cutcher for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at McMorran Place to Open the 21st Annual Port Huron Camper & RV Show

PORT HURON, Mich., Feb. 21 -- Port Huron Mayor Alan Cutcher and Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds (MARVAC) Director Bill Sheffer will conduct a ribbon cutting ceremony to kick off the grand opening of the 21st Annual Port Huron Camper & RV Show. The ceremony will take place at the front entran ... Continue reading

Lean Manufacturers Recognized by Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing

Lean Manufacturers Recognized by Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing

LOGAN, Utah, Feb. 21 -- World-class excellence in manufacturing is the hallmark of the 10 Recipients and the 4 Finalists of the 2006 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing Business Recipients. American manufacturing continues to experience turbulent times in maintaining and growing manufacturing jobs. The only bu ... Continue reading

Magna International Inc. - Notice of Conference Call for Fourth Quarter 2005 Results

Magna International Inc. - Notice of Conference Call for Fourth Quarter 2005 Results

AURORA, Ontario, February 21 -- Magna International Inc. (TSX: MG.SV.A,MG.MV.B; NYSE: MGA) will release its financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2005 on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 before the opening of the TSX and NYSE markets. Magna's quarterly conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2005 resu ... Continue reading

Magna International Inc. - Notice of conference call for fourth quarter 2005 results

Magna International Inc. - Notice of conference call for fourth quarter 2005 results

AURORA, ON, Feb. 21 -- Magna International Inc. (TSX: MG.SV.A, MG.MV.B; NYSE: MGA) will release its financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2005 on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 before the opening of the TSX and NYSE markets. Magna's quarterly conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2005 results will ... Continue reading

MAN Group: 2005 Strong Profit Increase Reached

MAN Group: 2005 Strong Profit Increase Reached

MUNICH, Germany, February 21 -- - With Photo - Operating profit EUR765 million (EUR566 million) - Return on capital employed (ROCE) 19.7% (13.6%) - Return on sales (ROS) 5.1% (3.9%) - Earnings per share EUR3.04 (EUR2.11) - Dividend proposal EUR1.35 (EUR1.05) - Cash provided by operating activities EUR1,402 million (EUR ... Continue reading

Microsoft Tops Delahaye's Media Index of Corporate Reputation; News of Strong Earnings Boosts Energy Industry as American Auto Companies Take Fall

Microsoft Tops Delahaye's Media Index of Corporate Reputation; News of Strong Earnings Boosts Energy Industry as American Auto Companies Take Fall

NORWALK, Conn.--Feb. 21, 2006--Elevated by news of strong revenue growth, product development and financial management, Microsoft Corp. benefited most greatly from the nation's leading media in 2005, according to the Delahaye Index, a quarterly assessment of how news coverage reflects and helps to shape the corporate r ... Continue reading

MKTG Services Hires Industry Veteran, Cheryl Jordan

MKTG Services Hires Industry Veteran, Cheryl Jordan

NEWTOWN, Penn., Feb. 21 -- MKTG Services, a leading data solutions provider for the direct marketing industry, announces the appointment of Cheryl Jordan as Senior Product Manager to its growing compiled division. "We're thrilled to have Cheryl join our data consulting team," notes Sandy Hurst, Vice President of MKTG S ... Continue reading

Modine Announces New Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Gregory Troy

Modine Announces New Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Gregory Troy

RACINE, Wis.--Feb. 21, 2006--Modine Manufacturing Company , a global leader in developing thermal management technologies and solutions for a diversified group of markets including truck, off-highway, automotive, engine, building HVAC and electronics cooling, announced today that Gregory T. Troy, 50, has joined the com ... Continue reading

ModusLink's Global Growth Continues with Expansion of Asian Footprint; New Solution Centers Help Clients Leverage Low-Cost Chinese Markets for Strategic Global Production

ModusLink's Global Growth Continues with Expansion of Asian Footprint; New Solution Centers Help Clients Leverage Low-Cost Chinese Markets for Strategic Global Production

WALTHAM, Mass.--Feb. 21, 2006--ModusLink Corporation, a subsidiary of CMGI, Inc. , today announced that it is expanding its Asian footprint to accommodate continued global growth and increased client interest in leveraging emerging Chinese markets as part of their global supply chain strategies. To meet client requirem ... Continue reading

National R.V. Holdings, Inc. Announces Appointment of David J. Humphreys as New Independent Board Member

National R.V. Holdings, Inc. Announces Appointment of David J. Humphreys as New Independent Board Member

PERRIS, Calif., Feb. 21 -- National R.V. Holdings, Inc. , a leading manufacturer of recreational vehicles, announced today that it has appointed David J. Humphreys to its board of directors, where he will chair the board's Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Humphreys was most recently president of the Recre ... Continue reading

Orbital's Joint Venture Synerject Purchases BRP's Electronic Components Facility

Orbital's Joint Venture Synerject Purchases BRP's Electronic Components Facility

PERTH, Australia, Feb. 21 -- Orbital Corporation Limited (BULLETIN BOARD: OBTLY) today announced that Synerject, its 50:50 joint venture with Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation, has completed due diligence and will acquire BRP US Inc.'s electronic components facility in Delavan, Wisconsin, USA with effect from 1st Marc ... Continue reading

OTI EasyFuel(TM) Enters Costa Rica - Expanding Presence in Latin America

OTI EasyFuel(TM) Enters Costa Rica - Expanding Presence in Latin America

FORT LEE, N.J., Feb. 21 -- On Track Innovations Ltd. (OTI) , a global leader in contactless microprocessor-based smart card solutions for homeland security, payments, petroleum payments and other applications, announced today that it has received initial orders in Costa Rica. "EasyFuel." EasyFuel is a wireless solution ... Continue reading

Polaris Announces Extension of Employment Agreement With CEO

Polaris Announces Extension of Employment Agreement With CEO

MINNEAPOLIS--Feb. 21, 2006--Polaris Industries Inc. announced today that it has renewed and extended the employment agreement of its Chief Executive Officer, Tom Tiller. The current term of the new agreement runs through 2007. Mr. Tiller, 44, joined Polaris as its President and Chief Operating Officer in 1998 after 15 ... Continue reading

Psycho Path, Divorce Court and Farfrompoopen Rd. Check Out the Winners of TheCarConnection.com's Wild, Weird and Wacky Street Names Contest. Also, Exclusive Preview of Geneva Motor Show and More.

Psycho Path, Divorce Court and Farfrompoopen Rd. Check Out the Winners of TheCarConnection.com's Wild, Weird and Wacky Street Names Contest. Also, Exclusive Preview of Geneva Motor Show and More.

DETROIT, Feb. 21 -- After wading through thousands of entries, TheCarConnection.com has come up with a list of America's wildest, weirdest and wackiest street names. The Wild, Weird and Wacky Street Names Contest asked readers to submit names they've spotted around the country, and the results include plenty of Deer Li ... Continue reading

Reliant Energy Bolsters ''Best-In-Class'' Maintenance Strategy with Fleet-wide Addition of SmartSignal EPI*Center(TM)

Reliant Energy Bolsters ''Best-In-Class'' Maintenance Strategy with Fleet-wide Addition of SmartSignal EPI*Center(TM)

CHICAGO--Feb. 21, 2006-- EPI*Center to Support Plant Operations in Improving Equipment Performance SmartSignal announced an agreement with Reliant Energy, Inc., to deploy SmartSignal's EPI*Center(TM) business-intelligence solution across units representing 15,700 megawatts of generating-fleet capacity. This fleet-wide ... Continue reading

Salvage Direct Adds Commercial Lines Division; Commercial Vehicles to Join Internet Auction Site's Roster of Salvaged Vehicles and Watercraft

Salvage Direct Adds Commercial Lines Division; Commercial Vehicles to Join Internet Auction Site's Roster of Salvaged Vehicles and Watercraft

TITUSVILLE, Pa.--Feb. 21, 2006--Salvage Direct today announced the launch of its new commercial lines division, adding more construction equipment and heavy machinery to Salvage Direct's current roster of salvaged vehicles and boats. The new division will include tractors, trailers, dump trucks, off-highway equipment, ... Continue reading

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Completes New Syndicated Credit Facility

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Completes New Syndicated Credit Facility

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 21 -- Sonic Automotive, Inc. , a leader in automotive retailing, announced today that it has entered into a new $1.2 billion four-year revolving syndicated credit facility with 14 financial institutions. This new credit facility replaces Sonic's existing $550 million revolving credit facility and ... Continue reading

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 21 -- Sonic Automotive, Inc. , a leader in automotive retailing, today announced that its Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share payable in cash for shareholders of record on March 15, 2006. The dividend will be payable April 15, 2006. Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune ... Continue reading

State Auto Financial Reports Record Annual Earnings for 2005

State Auto Financial Reports Record Annual Earnings for 2005

COLUMBUS, Ohio--Feb. 21, 2006--State Auto Financial Corporation today reported fourth quarter net income of $29.5 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, versus $38.0 million, or $0.93 per diluted share for the same period in 2004. Net income from operations(a) per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2005 was $0.73 ve ... Continue reading

Synchrony, Inc. Closes $5 Million Series A Investment

Synchrony, Inc. Closes $5 Million Series A Investment

ROANOKE, Va.--Feb. 21, 2006--Synchrony, Inc., a Roanoke County-based company specializing in the development and production of magnetic bearings, power, and control systems, announced today that it has closed a $5,000,000 Series A round of investment, provided by NewVa Capital Partners, LP, and affiliates of Third Secu ... Continue reading

Volvo Construction Equipment China Signed Its Biggest Sales Contract to Date

Volvo Construction Equipment China Signed Its Biggest Sales Contract to Date

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--Feb. 21, 2006--Volvo Construction Equipment China (Volvo CE China) signed a contract for delivery of 36 Volvo A40D articulated haulers and six L220E Volvo wheel loaders for the first phase of Alumina Mining Project of Guangxi HuaYin. On February 16, 2006, Volvo CE China and Changsha Design & Research ... Continue reading

Hymotion unveils Plug-in Hybrid Technology at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto

Hymotion unveils Plug-in Hybrid Technology at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto

"We, as a green technology company, believe that Plug-in Hybrid is the most favorable ecological solution for the future in the automotive industry." President Ricardo Bazzarella said today. Toronto, ON. February 21, 2006: This week at one of the premier international auto shows in the world, Hymotion unveiled its Plug ... Continue reading

Honda to Strengthen Structure of its R&D Operations

Honda to Strengthen Structure of its R&D Operations

Tokyo, Japan, Feb 21, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced plans, effective April 1, 2006, to launch a new organizational structure for Honda R&D Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Honda responsible for research & development activities. Due to recent technological advancements and continued bus ... Continue reading

Veridium Receives First Order for Ethanol By-Product Recovery Technology

Veridium Receives First Order for Ethanol By-Product Recovery Technology

NEW YORK--Feb. 21, 2006--Veridium Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: VRDM) today announced its receipt of an order from Glacial Lakes Energy, LLC ("Glacial Lakes") for the use of Veridium's patent-pending Corn Oil Extraction System(TM). Veridium's proprietary new Corn Oil Extraction Systems(TM) extract high grade corn oi ... Continue reading

Vonage(R) Becomes Sponsor of Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

Vonage(R) Becomes Sponsor of Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Feb. 21 -- Vonage Marketing, subsidiary of Vonage Holdings Corp., a leading provider of broadband phone service, has become a sponsor of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, race officials announced today. Vonage, based in Holmdel, N.J., is the "Official Internet Phone Service Provider" for the ... Continue reading

Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. to Present at the 17th Annual Wall Street Analyst Forum

Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. to Present at the 17th Annual Wall Street Analyst Forum

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 21 -- Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. ("MPA") announced today that its Chairman, President and CEO, Selwyn Joffe and CFO, Mervyn McCulloch will present at The Wall Street Analyst Forum at 8:20 a.m. ET on Thursday, March 2, 2006. The conference is being held at The Princeton Club in New York, New York. ... Continue reading

Bush Touts Alternative Energy, Hybrid Vehicles

Bush Touts Alternative Energy, Hybrid Vehicles

Washington DC February 21 2006; The AIADA newsletter reported that President Bush reiterated his energy plan yesterday in Milwaukee, calling for increased spending on science research, development and education, and greater incentives for the makers and users of alternative sources of energy, reports The Washington Pos ... Continue reading

VW Plans 20 New Models in Five Years

VW Plans 20 New Models in Five Years

Volkswagen has announced plans to launch 20 new models within the next five years, reports The Wall Street Journal. VW chief Wolfgang Bernhard said ten of them will be entirely new models, and the other 10 derivatives of already existing models. Among the new models will be the new Concept A which, according to the Jou ... Continue reading

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: PEMCO Insurance Recognized for Call Center Customer Satisfaction Excellence

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: PEMCO Insurance Recognized for Call Center Customer Satisfaction Excellence

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Feb. 21 -- PEMCO Insurance has been recognized for call center operation customer satisfaction excellence under the J.D. Power and Associates Certified Call Center Program(SM). This distinction acknowledges a strong commitment by PEMCO's call center operation to provide an outstanding customer ... Continue reading

Genuine Parts Company Reports Record Results for 2005

Genuine Parts Company Reports Record Results for 2005

ATLANTA--Feb. 21, 2006--Genuine Parts Company completed its 78th year of operations and reports record sales and earnings for the year ended December 31, 2005. Tom Gallagher, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, announced today that sales in 2005 were $9.8 billion, up 8% compared to 2004. Net income for the ... Continue reading

LoJack Corp. Reports Record Increases in Revenue and Net Income for Fourth Quarter and 2005; Provides 2006 Guidance

LoJack Corp. Reports Record Increases in Revenue and Net Income for Fourth Quarter and 2005; Provides 2006 Guidance

* Revenue Increases 17% for the Fourth Quarter, 31% for the Year * Net Income Increases 62% for the Quarter, 77% for the Year * Earnings Per Share Increased to $0.96 for the Year Compared to $0.64 for 2004 WESTWOOD, Mass., Feb. 21 -- LoJack Corporation reported today that revenue for the fourth quarter ended December 3 ... Continue reading

Indian Automobile Sales Are Forecast to Grow in FY05

Indian Automobile Sales Are Forecast to Grow in FY05

DUBLIN, Ireland--Feb. 21, 2006--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c33341) has announced the addition of Indian Auto Industry Market Overview to their offering. The Indian Automobile sector is high on growth trajectory and is expected to touch the 10 million mark of which the Commercial Veh ... Continue reading

Early February 2006 New-Vehicle Retail Sales Declined Versus a Year Ago

Early February 2006 New-Vehicle Retail Sales Declined Versus a Year Ago

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Feb. 21 -- New-vehicle retail sales have declined 8 percent in the first 12 days of February when compared to a similar time period a year ago, according to the Power Information Network (PIN), the industry's premier source for real-time automotive retail sales information. Mid-month results a ... Continue reading

Lexus Announces Introduction of More Powerful 2007 RX 350 Models

Lexus Announces Introduction of More Powerful 2007 RX 350 Models

TORRANCE, Calif., Feb. 21 -- Lexus announced today that the RX 330, the number-one selling luxury SUV, receives improved performance and additional luxury details for model year 2007. The new RX 350, available as both front-wheel (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) models, adopts a powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine that improve ... Continue reading

CarMax Named America's Most Admired Company in Automotive Retailing, Services by FORTUNE Magazine

CarMax Named America's Most Admired Company in Automotive Retailing, Services by FORTUNE Magazine

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 21 -- CarMax, Inc. , the nation's largest retailer of used cars, has been named by FORTUNE magazine as America's most admired company in automotive retailing, services. This is the first time CarMax has ranked No. 1 on the list. The list and related stories appear in the March 6 issue on newsstands ... Continue reading

Ford to Participate in Merrill Lynch Global Automotive Conference

Ford to Participate in Merrill Lynch Global Automotive Conference

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 21 -- On Monday, Feb. 27, Lewis Booth, Ford Motor Company executive vice president, Ford of Europe and Premier Automotive Group, will participate in the Merrill Lynch Global Automotive Conference in conjunction with the Geneva Auto Show. The presentation will begin at 3:10 p.m. Geneva time (9:10 a ... Continue reading

WIX Filters Named Vendor of the Year by Auto-Wares Inc.

WIX Filters Named Vendor of the Year by Auto-Wares Inc.

NEWS RELEASE Contact: Bruce Johnston Ashleigh Lockhart WIX Filters Wray Ward Laseter (704) 869-3383 (704) 926-1314 Bruce.Johnston@affiniagroup.com Alockhart@wwlcreative.com WIX Filters Named Vendor of the Year by Auto-Wares Inc. Two District Managers Recognized for Outstanding Field Representation GASTONIA, N.C. (Feb. ... Continue reading

lanelogic Signs Over 1000 Dealers at 2006 NADA Convention

lanelogic Signs Over 1000 Dealers at 2006 NADA Convention

Product AffressesNeeded Used Vehicle Industry Efficiency DALLAS - Feb. 21, 2006: lanelogic, the used-vehicle trading network that uses real-time sales data to conduct electronic trading between automotive dealers nationwide, experienced an extraordinary response after launching it's vehicle trading concept at NADA. The ... Continue reading

Kragen Auto Parts to Provide Convenient Collection Point for Rechargeable Batteries

Kragen Auto Parts to Provide Convenient Collection Point for Rechargeable Batteries

The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation Announces First-Ever Partnership With Retail Automotive Aftermarket Parts Company ATLANTA, Feb. 21 -- Kragen Auto Parts, a subsidiary of CSK Auto, Inc. the largest specialty retailer of automotive parts and accessories in the Western United States, and the Rechargeable Bat ... Continue reading

Vespa Scooter May Help Solve America's Oil Addiction!

Vespa Scooter May Help Solve America's Oil Addiction!

Open Letter to U.S. Mayors Raises Awareness of Energy Self-Sufficiency and Alternative Two-Wheel Transportation NEW YORK, Feb. 21 -- Piaggio Group Americas, the manufacturer of the world-famous Vespa(R) scooter, today announced that it has placed a full-page ad in the February 21st edition of the New York Times. The ad ... Continue reading

Industry Insider: Bush Administration Put Ethanol Cart Before the Horse

Industry Insider: Bush Administration Put Ethanol Cart Before the Horse

WASHINGTON D.C.--Feb. 21, 2006--Ken Hurwitz, former Executive Director of the Maryland Public Service Commission and a partner at Haynes and Boone, LLP says President Bush's continued rhetoric on research and development as to alternative energy sources is doing little to help wean the country from foreign sources of o ... Continue reading

Funny Man Kay Would be Top Choice for Sat Nav Voice

Funny Man Kay Would be Top Choice for Sat Nav Voice

MANCHESTER, England, February 21 -- Funny man Peter Kay would be the choice of motorists if they could pick the voice of their satellite navigation device and Joe Pasquale would drive them around the bend. Following the success of the new technology that allows Tom Baker's voice to deliver text messages to landlines, T ... Continue reading

AutoPacific Research: Automakers Should Market More to Baby Boomers

AutoPacific Research: Automakers Should Market More to Baby Boomers

TUSTIN, Calif., Feb. 21 -- Automotive researcher AutoPacific has released the results of its comprehensive study of the Baby Boomer automotive consumers. The conclusion from AutoPacific's Baby Boomer Consultancy is that automotive marketers are paying too much attention to youth marketing at the expense of a huge poten ... Continue reading

Naturally Cooled Cars Revolutionise European Markets

Naturally Cooled Cars Revolutionise European Markets

SAALFELDEN, Austria, Feb. 21 -- Regulators and industry held a worldwide stakeholder consultation on vehicle air conditioning in Saalfelden, Austria on 17 February 2006. During the conference European car manufacturers and suppliers of vehicle air conditioners demonstrated that naturally cooled cars are ready to enter ... Continue reading

Study Finds Dashboard Dining Can Affect Vehicle Resale Value

Study Finds Dashboard Dining Can Affect Vehicle Resale Value

Kelley Blue Book and Taco Bell(R) Survey Examines 'Drive-Thru Effect' IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 21 -- Hitting the drive-thru may save a few precious minutes, but what you eat could save thousands of dollars in the long run. When it comes to a vehicle's residual value, it's what's on (or not on) the inside that counts. Accor ... Continue reading

2006 Dodge Hornet Concept Set to Create a Buzz

2006 Dodge Hornet Concept Set to Create a Buzz

Internationally Sized, Amped With American Attitude Geneva - Feb 21, 2006: Rally-ready and eager to go, the new Dodge Hornet concept vehicle is designed to bring to the B-segment market a unique blending of European sensibility regarding engine size and overall footprint with an American flair for aggressive attitude a ... Continue reading

Americans Need to Brush Up on Presidential History, According to a Jeep® Study

Americans Need to Brush Up on Presidential History, According to a Jeep® Study

Nearly 90 percent of Americans fail to name Presidents on Mount Rushmore National Memorial Almost one-third of those surveyed did not know that four presidents are featured on the monument Auburn Hills, MI - Feb. 21, 2006: During the month of February, the country pauses to remember our nation’s presidents, inclu ... Continue reading

SMART Signs MoU On SMART Roadster Licence

SMART Signs MoU On SMART Roadster Licence

Böblingen - Feb 21, 2006: Contract about the licence to redesign, produce and sell the former smart model to be drawn up within the next months. British consortium to continue roadster model under different brand smart and the British consortium ‘Project Kimber’ signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) o ... Continue reading

Search The Auto Channel

The Auto Channel content library (since 1996) has grown to become the world’s most extensive and complete interactive archive of automotive centric news, articles, reviews and intense event coverage, presented to viewers as Text, Video and Images.

The Auto Channel Content by Topic

Vehicle manufacturers and alt fuels.